Politics & Government

Avondale Estates Again Considers Allowing Golf Carts On City Streets

The city commission seems to be in favor of the idea, but no official vote has occurred.

Avondale Estates' stop-and-go attitude toward golf carts seem to be in the "go" phase again.

Last summer the city appeared to be moving toward a golf cart ordinance but put the idea on the back burner. The subject of a new ordinance came up again last week and city commission members said they were ready to roll.

Residents could drive golf carts on city streets but couldn't drive on state roads except to cross Avondale Road at certain points, such as the Clarendon Road intersection.

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Safety features such as lights and horns would be required.

Commission members said golf carts would clean up the air and give Avondale Estates another selling point.

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City Manager Clai Brown said the city version of the law was based on a model provided by the Georgia Municipal Association. The commission will send the proposed ordinance to the city attorney and hopes to vote on it in coming months.

Avondale Estates' neighbor decided against allowing golf carts on city streets last summer.

Decatur City Manager Peggy Merriss said there were too many restrictions under legislation signed by Gov. Nathan Deal -- mainly that they're not allowed on state highways.

That would mean residents couldn’t drive them on such well-traveled routes as College Avenue, South Candler Street, parts of Commerce Drive, Scott Boulevard and Clairemont Avenue.


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